The Hindu Business Line : Timeframe set for Kerala tourism projects

VARIOUS projects being implemented by Kerala Tourism will be completed within a specific timeframe, preferably one year, says an official release. This decision was taken at a high-level meeting held under the Chairmanship of the Kerala Tourism Minister, Mr K.C. Venugopal, recently.

The Minister has instructed officials to take steps to set up tourist information centres at all important railway stations in the State, the release says. Work on a number of projects in the tourism sector, including the East Fort heritage conservation programme in Thiruvananthapuram, cleaning of the canals in Alappuzha, the Kumbalangi village tourism project and the construction of a floating restaurant at the Veli tourist village near Thiruvana- nthapuram will be completed in 100 days.

Besides, work on several other projects including the construction of model roads in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, the Kochi marina and the `dream city' project in Kozhikode will commence in 100 days. Every two months, the Minister himself will review progress on all tourism projects, while the Tourism Director will hold monthly review meetings, the release said.

PTI adds from Dubai: The State has drawn up comprehensive and integrated plans to attract the rich sheikhs of the Arab peninsula to the scenic locales and idyllic backwaters in the State.

``Arab tourists are looking for alternative destinations after 9/11 and Indian destinations, particularly those in Kerala, have good potential to attract them,'' Mr T.O. Sooraj, Director, Department of Tourism, told PTI.

More restaurants and eateries with Arab cuisine, entertainment parks for children and shopping centres catering to Arab tastes are being planned, Mr Sooraj said on the sidelines of the Indian Hoteliers Convention in Dubai.

He said Kerala will try to improve air connectivity with the Gulf and budget airlines such as Air Arabia will greatly increase tourist traffic from the region to Kerala.